Published: Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at 9:11 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at 9:11 p.m.

Florida State defensive back Terrence Brooks picked up some national recognition Tuesday when he was named as a first team All-American by CBSSports.com.

The senior safety started in all but one game, due to injury, this season for the top-ranked, undefeated Seminoles. Brooks, a Dunnellon graduate, is fifth on the team with 50 tackles, including seven for a loss. He also has two interceptions, a pair of forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Florida State (13-0) will play for a national championship against No. 2 Auburn on Jan. 6 in Padadena, Calif.

Following the championship game, Brooks should end up with a NFL team in the spring. He is currently rated as ESPN's fourth overall safety among college seniors.

JONNU SMITH: The West Port alum was rewarded for his stellar freshman season at Florida International University by picking up a couple honors last week. The Panthers' starting tight end was named to the Conference USA all-freshman team. He also received honorable mention recognition for the all-conference team.

Smith played in all 12 games for the 1-11 Panthers and led the team in catches (39) and receiving yards (388). His two touchdown catches were tied for second on the team.

MARCUS DAVIS: The Vanguard graduate will be dressed out for Lenoir-Rhyne on Saturday when the Bears play on ESPN2 for a Division II national championship.

The freshman plays the team's bandit position, which is a hybrid linebacker/safety. As a backup behind three seniors, Davis said he is waiting for his time to shine.

Lenoir-Rhyne (13-1) has not lost since the opening week of the season and will play Northwest Missouri State (14-0) for the championship in Florence, Ala.

TREMAINE BERRY & SANCHEZ LOFTON: The Vanguard grads finished their season two weeks ago with a win in the El Toro Bowl as members of the New Mexico Military Institute junior college football team.

Berry, a defensive lineman, had four tackles in the 32-16 win over Arizona Western College in Yuma, Ariz. The sophomore played in all 12 games for the 8-4 Broncos and ended up with 25 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Berry said he has some options to continue playing at four-year schools and should have a decision later this month.

Lofton, a freshman wide receiver, played in the bowl game but did not record any stats. In eight games this season he had six catches for 105 yards for the school based in Roswell, N.M.

NGQABUTHO SIGOGO: The Dunnellon grad is playing 11 minutes per game off the bench for Frank Phillips College (10-4). The 6-foot-7 freshman forward is averaging 3.7 points and 2.4 rebounds in 12 games for the junior college in Borger, Texas.

ANNE-MARIE & CATHERINE BLANEY: The sisters from Belleview took part in Saturday's rainy Reindeer Run in Ocala. Both took home hardware following the 5K that took place prior to the Christmas parade down Silver Spring Boulevard.

Anne-Marie Blaney, a sophomore at UCF, beat out 305 other entrants to win the 3.1-mile race in 17 minutes, 35 seconds.

Catherine Blaney, a freshman at USF, finished first in her age group and sixth overall with a time of 19:56.

DALTON SHANNON: The Belleview grad was voted the offensive line MVP for Division II West Virginia State University this season by his teammates. The freshman started all 11 games, allowing just one sack in the Yellow Jackets' no-huddle offensive attack.

CORTEZ ALLEN: The North Marion alum tied for the team lead in tackles In Pittsburgh's 30-20 home win over Cincinnati on Sunday night.

The third-year pro out of The Citadel made seven stops along with fellow defensive back Ike Taylor. Allen, a starting cornerback, was also credited with a pass defended.

On the season, Allen has 43 tackles, an interception and nine passes defended for the 6-8 Steelers.

ALLEE STELOGEANNIS: The Forest graduate and the Tampa Spartans volleyball team saw their playoff run end last week in the NCAA Division II national quarterfinals in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Tampa, which lost to eventual champion Concordia, St. Paul, finished the season ranked second in the AVCA Division II coaches poll.

The Spartans finished 32-2 overall. Ironically enough, both losses this season for Tampa came to Concordia, St. Paul. The Minnesota school beat the Spartans during a showcase in September as well.

Stelogeannis, a freshman outside hitter, played in more than half of UT's sets this season. In 67 sets, she tallied 69 kills, 42 digs, 31 blocks and 90 service points. She was Tampa's leader in kills, blocks and points among freshmen.

<p>Florida State defensive back Terrence Brooks picked up some national recognition Tuesday when he was named as a first team All-American by CBSSports.com.</p><p>The senior safety started in all but one game, due to injury, this season for the top-ranked, undefeated Seminoles. Brooks, a Dunnellon graduate, is fifth on the team with 50 tackles, including seven for a loss. He also has two interceptions, a pair of forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.</p><p>Florida State (13-0) will play for a national championship against No. 2 Auburn on Jan. 6 in Padadena, Calif.</p><p>Following the championship game, Brooks should end up with a NFL team in the spring. He is currently rated as ESPN's fourth overall safety among college seniors.</p><p><b>JONNU SMITH:</b> The West Port alum was rewarded for his stellar freshman season at Florida International University by picking up a couple honors last week. The Panthers' starting tight end was named to the Conference USA all-freshman team. He also received honorable mention recognition for the all-conference team.</p><p>Smith played in all 12 games for the 1-11 Panthers and led the team in catches (39) and receiving yards (388). His two touchdown catches were tied for second on the team. </p><p><b>MARCUS DAVIS:</b> The Vanguard graduate will be dressed out for Lenoir-Rhyne on Saturday when the Bears play on ESPN2 for a Division II national championship.</p><p>The freshman plays the team's bandit position, which is a hybrid linebacker/safety. As a backup behind three seniors, Davis said he is waiting for his time to shine.</p><p>Lenoir-Rhyne (13-1) has not lost since the opening week of the season and will play Northwest Missouri State (14-0) for the championship in Florence, Ala.</p><p><b>TREMAINE BERRY & SANCHEZ LOFTON:</b> The Vanguard grads finished their season two weeks ago with a win in the El Toro Bowl as members of the New Mexico Military Institute junior college football team.</p><p>Berry, a defensive lineman, had four tackles in the 32-16 win over Arizona Western College in Yuma, Ariz. The sophomore played in all 12 games for the 8-4 Broncos and ended up with 25 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Berry said he has some options to continue playing at four-year schools and should have a decision later this month.</p><p>Lofton, a freshman wide receiver, played in the bowl game but did not record any stats. In eight games this season he had six catches for 105 yards for the school based in Roswell, N.M.</p><p><b>NGQABUTHO SIGOGO:</b> The Dunnellon grad is playing 11 minutes per game off the bench for Frank Phillips College (10-4). The 6-foot-7 freshman forward is averaging 3.7 points and 2.4 rebounds in 12 games for the junior college in Borger, Texas.</p><p><b>ANNE-MARIE & CATHERINE BLANEY:</b> The sisters from Belleview took part in Saturday's rainy Reindeer Run in Ocala. Both took home hardware following the 5K that took place prior to the Christmas parade down Silver Spring Boulevard.</p><p>Anne-Marie Blaney, a sophomore at UCF, beat out 305 other entrants to win the 3.1-mile race in 17 minutes, 35 seconds.</p><p>Catherine Blaney, a freshman at USF, finished first in her age group and sixth overall with a time of 19:56.</p><p><b>DALTON SHANNON:</b> The Belleview grad was voted the offensive line MVP for Division II West Virginia State University this season by his teammates. The freshman started all 11 games, allowing just one sack in the Yellow Jackets' no-huddle offensive attack.</p><p><b>CORTEZ ALLEN:</b> The North Marion alum tied for the team lead in tackles In Pittsburgh's 30-20 home win over Cincinnati on Sunday night.</p><p>The third-year pro out of The Citadel made seven stops along with fellow defensive back Ike Taylor. Allen, a starting cornerback, was also credited with a pass defended.</p><p>On the season, Allen has 43 tackles, an interception and nine passes defended for the 6-8 Steelers.</p><p><b>ALLEE STELOGEANNIS:</b> The Forest graduate and the Tampa Spartans volleyball team saw their playoff run end last week in the NCAA Division II national quarterfinals in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Tampa, which lost to eventual champion Concordia, St. Paul, finished the season ranked second in the AVCA Division II coaches poll.</p><p>The Spartans finished 32-2 overall. Ironically enough, both losses this season for Tampa came to Concordia, St. Paul. The Minnesota school beat the Spartans during a showcase in September as well.</p><p>Stelogeannis, a freshman outside hitter, played in more than half of UT's sets this season. In 67 sets, she tallied 69 kills, 42 digs, 31 blocks and 90 service points. She was Tampa's leader in kills, blocks and points among freshmen.</p><p>---</p><p><i>Submit Hometown Heroes information to Ted Beck at ted.beck@ocala.com.</i></p>